City of Decorah 2017 spending was $2.7 million higher than budgeted

Decorah City Council members on May 7th will be asked to approve an amended 2017-2018 City of Decorah budget--a budget that shows the city spent $2,710,593 more than originally predicted.

The 2017-2018 budget approved by the city council last April called for $10,854,872 in expenditures for city government.  The amended budget to be presented May 7th to city council members shows $13,475,465 in city spending.

The city spent $815,327 more than originally budgeted for Public Works, with street lights and an airport hangar reasons given for the increase.  The city spent $441,538 more for Public Safety programs than originally projected, with flood expenses a large contributor to that overage.  Culture and Recreation programs were $241,800 higher than originally projected, with swimming pool boiler replacement and library building repairs given as the reason.  General Government expenses were $199,000 higher than originally projected, with legal fees, IT expenses, city hall projects and election expenses being blamed.

The city had projected a reserve fund balance of $4,226,861 on June 30th, but the balance will be $2,716,879 instead.

Additional details of the budget changes are available at the City Clerk's Office at City Hall.